Nanny-Cams and the Rights of Babysitters

Matthew Eappen would have been ten years old had he not died of Shaken-Baby Syndrome at the hands of British au pair, Louise Woodward, who was supposed to be watching Matthew and keeping him safe from harm. In a recent interview with Boston's Channel 5 News, Dr's Deborah and Sunil Eappen, Matthew's parents, discussed their loss ten years later, as well as the work they are now doing to continue to create more awareness of Shaken-Baby Syndrome. In the interview Dr. Sunil Eappen noted that he spent a lot of time thinking about how he "should have known". Matthew Eappen was not the only baby who has ever been shaken to death, and Louise Woodward is not the only child-care provider who has shaken a baby to death. Not all babies who are shaken die, but many are left with brain damage. In spite of the sweet-girl demeanor Ms. Woodward presented in court, it is generally believed that she became frustrated with the baby and acted on that frustration in a way that resulted in Matthew's brain injury. It is extremely unlikely she would have shaken Matthew Eappen (or otherwise moved him in a way that resulted in brain injury) had she known his parents would be watching.

The care expected of babysitters who have been entrusted with the children of others can be a life-or-death matter, but even when it isn't there are times when babysitters are negligent or verbally abusive in ways they never would be if they knew they were on camera. When my daughter was four years old she wanted to go to pre-school, and the only programs available in my area were offered in child-care centers. I visited the few centers in the area and was horrified to get a glimpse into one room where toddlers were supposed to be napping. There was a young care-giver of about 18 years old, and she was yelling at one toddler, "Lay down!". She didn't know I was walking by the room.

Its far too common for babysitters to present themselves as kind and sweet while parents are present, only to turn into monsters when parents are no longer within earshot and/or when they become frustrated when babies or children don't just do what they wish they would do. Even those who don't turn into monsters often tend to indulge their impatience or frustration with babies or young children by shedding the sweet behavior and treating their charges in less than exemplary ways once parents aren't around.

We all see ourselves on the cameras that are hung above store entrances, and we all know there are security cameras in parking lots and some workplaces. We know there are cameras when we go the ATM. We generally understand that these cameras are for our own safety, as well as for the benefit of those who installed the cameras. Most of us accept these cameras as a way of life and don't feel we have any expectation of privacy when we enter our local drug store, use the ATM, or walk down the hall at work. Babysitters, above any number of other types of employees, have no right to expectation of privacy in view of the nature of their work. Nanny-Cams are no different than any other security camera used in any workplace or business, and there are times when a babysitter may actually benefit from having exemplary behavior on camera.

When babysitters enter the home of their employers and the children for whom they will care they are in their workplace. It may be fair to the babysitter (as well as a more effective deterrent) to let it be known that a camera (or cameras) are in place, but it is neither unfair nor a violation of a babysitter's so-called "rights" to have a Nanny-Cam. A good babysitter has nothing to worry about, is as concerned about parents' peace-of-mind as parents, themselves, are, and should be able to get used to the idea of a Nanny-Cam. If parents choose not to divulge the fact that a Nanny-Cam is present all babysitters should simply be aware that there's a good chance one is in place.

The best use of a Nanny-Cam isn't always to catch a babysitter in the act of mistreating a child but to prevent such an act from occurring at all. A Nanny-Cam, though, can also offer a babysitter some protection against being unjusty accused of, or incorrectly blamed for, any number of things. Babysitters just need to understand that just as cameras are in place when cash is involved, cameras may be in place when priceless, treasured, and vulnerable, little folks are involved. It just makes sense.